History of Waka

For thousands of years the polynesian people have used waka of varying designs and styles to migrate and populate the Pacific islands and Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Waka were used for maintaining relations throughout the islands and for trade between the island groups.

Smaller versions of waka - waka ama - were used for gathering seafood and also as sport, with interisland and tribal groups competing against each other.

Waka in the pacific were generally large double hulled craft, yet after the polynesian people reached Aotearoa, with the size of the trees available, they adapted their design to single hulled craft for local travel and warfare.

Within only a few decades of Captain Cook’s arrival here, the outrigger or waka ama had become redundant as large logs were available to make stable single hulled waka.

With dwindling resources available waka ama have made a resurgence over the last 30 years, becoming one of New Zealand’s fastest growing sports.